The 2002 Pontiac Montana has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel tank inlet and seal leak.” Every Pontiac is now 15+ years old, which changes the maintenance question from 'what mileage?' to 'how old is it?' — hoses, belts, coolant, and brake fluid age out even on low-mile cars. The G6 uses GM's Oil Life System (change oil when the message appears, at most every 12 months) with Dex-Cool coolant and either the 2.4L Ecotec four or the 3.5/3.9L pushrod V6. Parts remain cheap and plentiful through GM's shared platforms — these cars are inexpensive to keep healthy if the age-based items aren't ignored.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Pontiac Montana.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
11 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2017-08
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE”
“FOUND A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM A CRACK AROUND THE FUEL TANK INLET”
“DIAGNOSIS WAS A CRACK / FRACTURE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FILL NECK GOING INTO THE GAS TANK”
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2007-05 → 2015-04
“I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY”
“I NEVER HAVE AN ACCURATE READING OF HOW MUCH FUEL I ACTUALLY HAVE”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
13 NHTSA complaints · 2004-01 → 2013-06
“LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. INTERNAL LEAK ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE OIL”
“INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK”
“INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE GASKET”
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
11 NHTSA complaints · 2005-06 → 2013-02
“BRAKE LIGHT STOPS WORKING ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR SO FAR”
“CORROSION INSIDE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY HAS CAUSED BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL”
“REAR BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, THEN FAILED ALTOGETHER”
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
10 NHTSA complaints · 2002-09 → 2007-04
“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING REAR SLIDING PASSENGER'S DOOR WILL OPEN, AND CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PULL OVER TO CLOSE THE DOOR”
“THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT WARNING”
“AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR RELEASED AND CLOSED A SMALL CHILD'S HAND IN IT”
EQUIPMENT
5 NHTSA complaints · 2004-11 → 2007-06
“THE A/C ON MY 2002 MONTANA VAN WAS BLOWING WARM IN APRIL 2006”
“ONCE AGAIN, A/C STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. DEALER IS TELLING US THAT CONDENSER HAS A LEAK AGAIN”
“MY VAN ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT ON IT”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-03 → 2006-09
“INTERMITTENTLY THE ABS LIGHT BECAME INOPERATIVE AND DISABLED THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE”
“THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE ABS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED”
“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND MECHANIC SAID THE SENSOR AND ROD THAT ENGAGES THE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAD CORRODED”
AIR BAGS
3 NHTSA complaints · 2005-01 → 2011-03
“2002 PONTIAC MONTANA: THE PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON”
“WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START MY VAN, THE PASSENGER SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change when the Oil Life System calls it, and at least every 12 months. On engines this age, many mechanics suggest a practical 5,000-mile ceiling — aging seals and PCV systems contaminate oil faster.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check tire date codes too — sidewall age (6+ years) retires tires on old cars before tread wear does.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and especially brake hoses and hard lines at every service — line corrosion is a real failure mode on 15-year-old northern cars.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace every 2 years. Decade-old fluid is the hidden cause of soft pedals and seized calipers on aging GM sedans.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Drain-and-fill every 45,000 miles with Dexron VI. On high-mile units that have never been serviced, prefer repeated drain-and-fills over a pressure flush.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Iridium plugs at 100,000 miles on the G6's engines. Replace wires/boots on the pushrod V6 at the same time — they're brittle at this age.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
At this age, replace the belt AND tensioner as a pair on any evidence of cracking or noise — a weak tensioner eats new belts.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Replace every 30,000 miles — a cheap, 5-minute job on the G6.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles — but on cars this old the interval is effectively 'every 5 years.' Check for intake and water-pump seepage while it's drained; use Dex-Cool only, never mixed with green coolant.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test the battery and alternator annually. Parasitic drains from aging body modules are common on this era of GM — a healthy battery masks them until it doesn't.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Pontiac Montana reflects Pontiac's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.